Timeline of Major Christian Heresies by Rudolph P. Boshoff
Century / Date Heresy Key Leaders Core Teaching / Error Late 1st c. Cerinthianism Cerinthus Jesus was a man; “Christ” descended at baptism; denied incarnation Late 1st – 2nd c. Ebionism Ebionites Jesus fully human; strict Mosaic law; denied divinity Late 1st – 2nd c. Docetism Valentinus’ followers Jesus only seemed human; denied true humanity 1st – 3rd c. Gnosticism Valentinus, Basilides Salvation via secret knowledge; material world evil 2nd c. Adoptionism Theodotus, Paul [...]
Counting and the Trinity: Identity, Division, and the Logic of Divine Unity by Rudolph P. Boshoff
Orthodox Thinker, Jay Dyer, recently made a statement about division and how we relate the concept of complex divisibility and unity when examining the Doctrine of the Trinity. You can watch the clip here. One of the most persistent objections to the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, particularly from Muslim theologians and apologists, is the claim that it violates monotheism. The reasoning goes: if the Father is God, the Son is God, and the [...]
Gnostic Motifs in the text of the Qur’an by Rudolph P. Boshoff
Gnostic elements in the Qur’an are often subtle and debated, but scholars have noted possible connections between some Qur’anic passages and apocryphal, midrashic, and extra-biblical Jewish and Christian traditions, including some with Gnostic overtones. Below is a short description of how Gnostic or apocryphal elements may be found in the following Qur’anic passages. These passages parallel the revelation found in the Qur'an. Why is this problematic? The presence of Gnostic, apocryphal, and Midrashic elements in [...]
Yahweh with Us: When the Prophets Foretold God’s Arrival by Rudolph P. Boshoff
One of the most profound truths affirmed throughout the Scriptures is the deity of the Messiah. While many turn to the New Testament for explicit affirmations of Christ's divinity, it is the Hebrew prophets, centuries before His coming, who first bore witness to this staggering reality. In this article, we examine several key prophetic passages that portray the Messiah not merely as a human deliverer, but as divine, God with us. 1. The Virgin Birth [...]
Superman, Bizarro, and the Misguided Analogy of God: Looking at the argument of Warren McGrew (Idol Killer) by Rudolph P. Boshoff
A recent debate hosted on Capturing Christianity featured a lively exchange between Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox thinkers on the controversial question: Do Christians and Muslims worship the same God? One of the most notable moments came when Dr. Trent Dougherty presented an analogy drawn from the Superman mythos to support the claim that they do. Dougherty’s argument hinged on the idea that just as Lois Lane can refer to Clark Kent and Superman, despite [...]
Jesus and the Divine Prerogatives: A Gospel-Qur’an Comparison by Rudolph P. Boshoff
In conversations between Christians and Muslims, it’s essential to bridge understanding using both Scripture and reason. One of the most compelling lines of argument for the divinity of Christ comes from comparing what the Qur’an says Allah does with what Jesus says of Himself in the New Testament. Let’s walk through a few examples. 1. The Power to Raise the Dead In Surah Al-Hajj (22:6–7), the Qur’an declares: “That is because Allah is the Truth [...]
The Use of Plural Language in the Hebrew Bible: Indicators of a Triune Godhead by Rudolph P. Boshoff
The concept of the Triune Godhead, comprising three distinct Persons identified as Yahweh, each fully God, has been a cornerstone of Christian theology, rooted in interpretations of the Hebrew Bible. This article examines the use of plural nouns, verbs, and adjectives in the Hebrew Bible, arguing that they offer supplementary evidence for the tri-personal nature of God. While these plurals alone do not conclusively prove the Trinity, they align with the broader scriptural testimony of [...]
If Jesus Is God, Why Did He Pray to God? by Rudolph P. Boshoff
One of the most common objections to the divinity of Jesus is the question: If Jesus is God, how could He pray to God? Was He praying to Himself? This question often trips up those exploring the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, but the answer is straightforward when we understand the biblical concept of prayer and the distinct persons within the Godhead. Let’s unpack this with clarity and scriptural evidence, showing why Jesus praying to [...]
Is There Evidence of a Multi-Personality God in the Old Testament? by Rudolph P. Boshoff
The concept of the Trinity, a God who exists as three distinct persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) yet is one being, has been a cornerstone of Christian theology for centuries. However, Unitarians argue that this idea was invented by early Christians and has no roots in the Old Testament or early Jewish belief. They often cite Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one,” as evidence that God is [...]
Explaining the Trinity to a Muslim: A Self-Contained, Incomparable God by Rudolph P. Boshoff
One of the most frequent and sensitive questions I receive from Muslim friends is: How can you Christians believe in the Trinity without committing shirk (associating partners with God)? It’s a fair and critical question, and one that deserves a careful, thoughtful, and respectful answer. The Qur’an in Surah 42:11 and 112:4 (which are poetic reverses of one another) states: “There is nothing like unto Him” (42:11) and “There is none comparable unto Him” (112:4). [...]